Bulldog Bulletin- Weekly eNews
Here is what's on top at Buena Vista! 3/10/2022
Note from the Principal
Greetings Buena Vista Parents,
I hope you are all well. Sorry for the late eNews. There is so much to share and I wanted to make sure I got it all in. Here is what's happening at Buena Vista Elementary.
Masking Policy Change
I hope you were able to read Superintendent Morgan's most recent communication regarding the change in our district's masking policy starting next week. For those that missed it, the state of California issued new guidance regarding indoor making in K-12 schools moving from a requirement to a “strong recommendation.” In earlier communications Superintendent Morgan shared that WCSD will align with this new guidance. Effective Monday, March 14, masks will no longer be required for students or staff in our classrooms regardless of vaccination status. (Full communication here.)
What does that mean for us at Buena Vista? Masks are still recommended for individuals who are not vaccinated, who may have a compromised immune system, those that are over 65, those that may have a chronic illness or a disability. That said, we will respect each individual family's decision whether to mask or not at school.
We will continue to keep classrooms well ventilated with doors and windows open and air purifiers going. Classrooms will be cleaned and sanitized daily. We will continue to promote good hygiene with frequent hand washing and accessible hand sanitizer. Masks will continue to be available at school through the end of the school year to those that choose to wear them.
Lunch time
Next week we will be transitioning back to using the Multi Use Room (MUR) for extra seating at lunch. All classes will have tables designated for their use for their eating and visiting quietly with classmates. We will no longer be sitting "picnic style" outside so that we can provide a seat at a table for every student and so they have a focused time to eat their lunch. We will have outside seating available for those families that would be more comfortable with their child still sitting outside. Please notify your child's teacher directly if for safety reasons you would rather your child have available outside seating.
Upcoming Fun . . . Save the Date!
Our Scholastic Book Fair is the week of March 28 - April 1st. On Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of this week we are going to have "Lunch in the Breezeway Day." On this day your students are welcomed to invite a special adult (grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, godparent.etc)to come lunch with them outside in our Breezeway. Often the special adult will bring lunch to share with their student. (School lunches are available for students also.) If you'd like after you eat, you can visit our school book fair. Grade levels will be assigned a specific day (to keep us spaced out) however, families that have more than one student in school can come one time for all of their children.
Our lunch times are as follows:
Kindergarten, First and Second Grade 11:30-12:15
Third Grade 11:50-12:35
Fourth and Fifth Grade 12:15-1:00
Lunch in the Breezeway Schedule:
Tuesday, March 29: TK/K, 3rd Grade
Wednesday March 30: 2nd/ 4th...and Mrs. Stessel's Class
Thursday March 31: 1st Grade/ 5th Grade
Reading Night- March 31st at 7pm
Come to school in your jammies for a reading night with a special guest reader from the Contra Costa Library. Come in your jammies, bring a blanket and enjoy milk and cookies during story time. Come early (6pm-7pm) and visit our Scholastic Book Fair!
Updates and Reminders:
**Trimester 2 report cards will be available for you to view on Friday, March 11th. Report cards can be accessed electronically in the Parent Portal. Please take a moment to review the instruction link below.
Report Card Instructions. Parent Portal Link
**I would like to start a Diversity, Equity and Belonging Committee here at Buena Vista made up of parents and staff to help advise the principal, School Site Council and our Parent Teacher Association on ways we can continue to improve student and family engagement and belonging. I am looking for 5-8 parents to join a few of our staff members. If you are interested, please fill out this form.
**We recently have openings at Buena Vista for Science Specialist and Noon Duty Supervisor. If you are interested or know of someone who may be interested in either of these positions, please contact me directly--- agramlick@walnutcreeksd.org (The noon duty supervisor position is posted now, the science specialist is internally posted until Monday, but will open up if we do not find an internal candidate.)
**We currently have families that have not completed their intent to return survey for next year. If you have not completed this quick survey, please do so now. Your prompt response helps us plan for accurate grade level classes and staffing. Please complete this year's intent to return form for the 2022-2023 school year ASAP!
**WCSD is enrolling students for 2022-23 Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten NOW. Please see the district enrollment webpage for more information. You can also view the Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Enrollment Flyer.
Lots of great things happening at Buena Vista!
Respectfully,
Angela Gramlick
Principal
Buena Vista Book Fair--Volunteers Needed!
Our Book Fair is in two and a half weeks! We are still looking for volunteers for our book fair--here is a direct link to the sign up page: https://volunteer.scholastic.com/#/signup/WBUgGuzVu The sign up process involves creating a quick account through Scholastic. Volunteers need to have completed the WCSD Volunteer form in addition to signing up.
PTA Board Member Elections Coming Next Month!
The PTA Nominating committee met and has presented the slate for the PTA election which will be at our next PTA meeting April 12th. These are tentative names for each role but the slots are open for nominations from the floor. If you are interested in any position even if there is already a name below, you can put your name forward during the election meeting. To vote or take on a role you must be a PTA member for 30 days prior to the election. That means sign up by this coming Saturday March 12th.
To sign up for the PTA visit https://buenavistapta.membershiptoolkit.com/
Three positions are completely open and we do need to fill these spots.
Descriptions of each role are avalible at https://buenavistapta.membershiptoolkit.com/leadership.
If you have any questions please email Jon Faerber at parliamentarian@buenavistapta.org.
After School Enrichment
BV Parents,
Reminder if you haven't already we would love to have more survey results! Our response rate is currently at 14% and your feedback is important to understand what went well and what could be improved, please fill out for each enrichment class your student took. Survey is here: https://www.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=pJQ0aq7sY5E%3D
Other news: Signups for our spring session will go out in mid-March, and we will let people know in advance the time and date the session will open for registration. The session for almost every enrichment course will be from Monday April 11th thru Friday May 20th. We are excited to continue the majority of the courses in the spring and also introduce a few new courses!
Amy Maggiore & Natalie Kwan Lloyd
BV PTA Afterschool Enrichment Coordinators
BV Give Day
Buena Vista is a public school for elementary students of all economic backgrounds. However, to live true to our mission, we rely heavily on support from our families. At Buena Vista Elementary, our students and teachers depend upon philanthropy from our families and community members like you to achieve the level of academic preparation and success for which we are striving for. Will you support us by playing a part in this year’s BV Give Day on March 24th and 25th?
Through our second Give Day at BV, we at BV intend to raise $15K in 48 hours. With your support, our school can continue impacting our students and providing an outstanding education by providing the tools, resources, and opportunities to prepare our students for success now and in the future.
The mission of Buena Vista continues and our commitment to our students only grows greater. Thank you for partnering with us and believing in the great value of our educational mission.
Next week very student will be receiving a link to create their BV Give Day page to send out to family, friends, colleagues, and social media contacts. We would like you to ask people to give small gifts at $5 or more. We are asking students to strive to get 20 people to give $5 or 10 people to give $10. Everyone bringing in lots of small gifts can make a BIG difference!
Important Dates and Events!
- Friday, March 11th-Report cards available through the parent portal- directions will emailed
- Starting March 25th-through April--5th Grade Fitness Testing-Please make sure students wear comfortable clothing and tennis or runnings shoes on Fridays
- March-28th-April 1st---Scholastic Book Fair
- March 29-31- "Lunch in the Breezeway" -- Invite a special adult to lunch with you!
- March 31st- Reading Night- 7pm- Come for stories and milk and cookies and visit the Book Fair from 6-7pm.--Sponsored by our PTA and fabulous Library Specialist
- April 4th-8th--Spring Break- No School
BV 2022 Yearbook is Now on Sale! Price $28
Online Link: https://bit.ly/3GdezIE
Turn Up the Heat 2022—The Results Are In!
February might be a short month, but there was so much happening across all eight of our schools, including our annual Turn Up the Heat campaign to increase participation. There are two important results to report:
1. We raised $102,097 in just a few days over the Turn Up the Heat campaign—AMAZING work from our community!
2. Buena Vista Elementary increased their WCEF participation by 30% and, in addition to bragging rights, have won a popsicle party for the entire school. Congratulations, Bulldogs!
Thank you to everyone—students, teachers, parents, and community members—for your gifts to not only make this such a successful fundraising campaign, but provide additional classes and arts programs to all students from TK-12. We are grateful.
A special shout-out to all Turn Up the Heat volunteers and helpers who made this happen—Site Reps, teachers, office staff, principals, board members, and more. Thank you for your hard work and fantastic results!
Fundraising Update for February
Thanks to our amazing donors, every month we get closer to our $1.3M goal! As of March 3, WCEF has raised $1,168,013—90% of our goal! Key programs like TK-5 science lab, electives like French at WCI and Spanish at Tice, and the Wellness Center at Las Lomas are available to our public school students because of you. Thank you to all who have given!
If you haven’t donated yet, there is still time. Donate today. Work for a company that will match your donation? Click here to learn more about matching.
Springtime Shopping with a Purpose! Five Little Monkeys Give-Back, March 1-15
Support our students and a local business, all at the same time … Five Little Monkeys is offering 15% back to WCEF on all purchases (in-store or online!), March 1-15! Use code WCEF22. With a unique selection of the best educational toys, games and books for children, Five Little Monkeys give you an opportunity to get gifts for springtime birthdays, a special item for your child, a book for your student’s class. The more that’s purchased, the more money WCEF will raise!
There’s also free gift wrapping, free local delivery within 3 miles of the Walnut Creek store, free in-store pick-up, and free shipping on all orders over $50.
Shop at 1364 N. Main Street or online.
Our Summer Camp Guide is Coming!
Join WCEF Summer Camp partners this summer! These camps are tried and true, and support your child’s education as WCEF partners. Click here to see our partners and support the businesses who support your child!
NEW! WCEF’s First-Ever Golf Tournament—May 16, 2022
Look for more information in the weeks ahead about our first-ever Golf Tournament. In the meantime, mark your calendar and start gathering your foursome … everyone is welcome!
Important Links and Resources!
Is your child home from school?
Parents, please remember to call the attendance line if you student will not be coming to school: (925) 944-6822 ext 3801
Thank you!
It's a great day to be a bulldog!
Angela Gramlick-Principal
Email: agramlick@walnutcreedsd.org
Website: https://www.walnutcreeksd.org/Subsite001
Location: 2355 San Juan Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Phone: 925-944-6822